Exhibitions

The exhibition Made in CZ / Found in RO, organised by the Czech Centre in collaboration with the National Theatre of Bucharest, features Czechoslovak design objects manufactured in the last 100 years, which were imported in Romania over time.

The Czech Centre has gathered objects produced in Czechoslovakia which compose a well-shaped collection, uniform, but with manifold elements. The exhibits are only meant to represent a historical facet of product design, but also the aesthetical side of ordinary products used in daily life. Each of us remembers certain furniture or decoration objects, dishes or houseware we found in the grandparents’ house. Certainly at least one of these objects had Czechoslovak origins or was inspired by the specific aesthetics and technology.

The roots of the traditions of Czechoslovak design stem from the period following the First World War, when the freshly formed Czechoslovak Republic had launched a period of creativity and flourishing in the field of architecture and design. Influences originated from the functionalism of the Bauhaus and Art Deco style, thus combining high-quality materials with rigid forms, straight edges, lacking ornaments without an additional practical component.

Over time, furniture pieces, lamps, bottles with cleaning solutions, even saws or roulettes have taken over in their design an aesthetic substratum blended with the functionality specific for each object. Furthermore, their mass production has determined their extension in the Eastern European area, and even more in the Eastern Bloc countries. Therefore, a variety of objects has also arrived to Romania, being integrated into daily life.

An example is the lamp type 11126 designed by Eric Kirkham Cole, which was manufactured by EKCO Ltd in the thirties. Ever since, the lamp has come a long way, finally being authorized for mass production in Czechoslovakia. This was a very popular model, especially due to its adjustable arm and saddle.

The opening of the exhibition is part of the reception for the national holiday of the Czech Republic, 26th October 2017, from 5:00 p.m. The exhibition is open until 15th December 2017, in the rotunda of the NTB Small Hall.

Event organised by the Czech Centre and the "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre of Bucharest.

Main sponsor: BCR

Media partners: Radio Romania Cultural, AGERPRES, Zeppelin magazine, The Institute, Intervio.ro, Metropolis newspaper, Balkan Insight

Translated by Simona Nichiteanu